City of Batavia firefighters, members of IAFF Local 896, made their annual trip to Jackson School this afternoon to hand out winter coats to students who needed them.
The children received brand new, 100-percent American-made winter coats. The donations are part of a national effort sponsored by the not-for-profit Operation Warm.
Today, off duty city firefighters, members of Local 896, are volunteering their time to help work on the Habitat for Humanity house on Oak Street.
Members of City Fire, IAFF Local 896, are in the midst of their annual fundraising effort on behalf of the Muscular Dystrophy Association this morning, asking passing motorist to "fill the boot." The firefighters are on Main Street and Ellicott Street around Court Street and will be in place until 1 p.m.
Press release:
For the third year, in a row City of Batavia Firefighters IAFF Local 896 will be raising funds to provide children in the City of Batavia with brand-new 100-percent American-made winter coats.
Firefighters partnered with the national non-for-profit Operation Warm in 2013 and held the first ever successful Operation Warm coat campaign in New York State associated with the International Association of Firefighters. Since 2013 City firefighters have distributed more than 125 brand new 100-percent American-made winter coats.
For the second year in a row, Local 896 will be raffling off a N6A Sam Houston leather helmet along with four other prizes. All proceeds will benefit the 2015 Firefighters for Operation Warm campaign with a goal of 200 coats for local children. Drawing held Saturday Sept. 5.
City of Batavia Firefighters IAFF Local 896 would like to thank everyone who has supported this great cause over the last two years. For more information please contact Adam Palumbo at apalumbo@batavianewyork.com or visit www.operationwarm.org/batavia
Press release:
No one has yet claimed a wedding ring found amid money collected during the City of Batavia Fire Department fill the boot drive August 14, 2009 benefiting Muscular Dystrophy Association.
The ring, inscribed to "Robin," can be claimed by calling City fire headquarters at (585) 345-6375 or contacting Adam Palumbo at apalumbo@batavianewyork.com.
Fire Chief Jim Maxwell and Principal Diane Bonarigo help a student at Jackson School try on a new winter coat at the school this morning.
IAFF Local 896 gave out about 90 winter coats to students at the school.
UPDATE: Here's some additional info about the coat distribution:
City of Batavia firefighters, Local 896 distributed 90 brand new 100-percent American Made winter coats to children grades K-1 at Jackson primary. This is the second year firefighters have partnered with the national not-for-profit Operation Warm. More than $3,600 was raised to provide the coats. Local 896 would like to thank all who supported this great program. It truly is more than a coat. The coats give children a sense of pride having something brand new and all their own. New coats also promote a healthy lifestyle for children during the winter months and having a positive impact on school attendance.
Firefighter Adam Palumbo
Firefighter Chuck Hammon stretches out his arms to show a student how to test the fit of his new coat.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and as city firefighters do annually, they are donning special T-shirts while on duty to recognize the fight against breast cancer.
Pictured with six firefighters today are Toni Funke and Kristen Gonter, breast cancer survivors.
From left are Capt. Mark Mikolajczyk, Chuck Hammon, Adam Polumbo, Nathan Kinne, Jeff Whitcomb and David Adams.
The IAFF Local 896 will make a donation to a breast cancer organization this month.
Press release:
The City of Batavia Fire Department together with the Fire Fighters Union – IAFF Local 896 are sponsoring the 2ndAnnual Fire Prevention Week Poster Contest. This poster contest is open to students from grades 1 – 5. “Our hope is to get the children to discuss fire safety with their teachers and fellow students, as well as parents and guardians.”
This poster contest can be a take home project, individual class project or an art class project. Information has been distributed to City schools, but we wanted to include any City area home schooled children as well.
“Our first year doing the contest was met with a great response. We are hoping to grow this great opportunity this year. The value is that the kids and adults get exposure to fire safety and safe practices, helping to reduce injury and death and change some habits. We encourage all eligible students to participate.”
The 2014 Fire Prevention Week (October 5-15) theme is “Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives, Test Yours Every Month.” Ideas and more information can be found at the Fire Prevention Week website www.FPW.org
Any posters wishing to be entered need to be at the Fire Station located at 18 Evans Street in Batavia no later thanThursday, October 9, 2014 at 4pm. Schools/groups/families may contact us via phone or email to arrange in school pick up of posters.
Posters are to be drawn horizontally on white paper, 8 ½” x 11”. The back of the poster must contain the students name & phone number, school & grade, and teacher’s name.
Judging of the posters will take place between October 10th – 12th. The winner of each group will receive a ride to school on a City Fire Engine, and be invited to a special awards luncheon with their family held at the fire station in late October. 2nd and 3rd place finishers in each group will also be invited to the fire station awards luncheon.
The best of luck to the students! Full rules are available at the City of Batavia Fire Department at 18 Evans Street in Batavia or by contacting us via phone and/or email.
On July 10 the City of Batavia Firefighters Local 896 will hold its first Helmet Raffle benefiting "Firefighters for Operation Warm." The raffle will be at Tully's restaurant on East Main Street at about 9 p.m.
Local 896 is raffling off a brand-new N6A Sam Houston structural fire helmet (winner picks color, style and custom leather front).
The 2nd place prize is a $75 gift certificate to "The Fire Store" and 3rd-place prize is $50 to "The Fire Store."
Tickets are a $10 donation with all proceeds benefiting "Firefighters for Operation Warm," which provides brand-new 100-percent American-made winter coats to children in the City of Batavia. This is the second year City firefighters are partnering with Operation Warm to provide the gift of warmth to children in our community.
In addition to the raffle, Tully's is donating 10 percent of its receipts on July 10 to the coat charity (only at the Batavia location), provided that the customer presents a special coupon at the time of check out.
For raffle tickets and Tully's special coupons, contact Adam Palumbo at apalumbo@batavianewyork.com. Visit <http://www.operationwarm.org/Batavia> for more information and to donate.
Today was the day to fill the boot and a lot of people did. City firefighters, members of IAFF Local 896, were positioned on Ellicott, Main, and Court streets this morning to collect donations from passing motorists as a fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
It was another banner year for the firefighters with a new record amount of $9,635.39, according to Local President Greg Ireland.
Above, Adam Palumbo collects a donation.
Jeff Stevens collects a donation.
Firefighter Tim Stengel collects a donation.
The city and the union representing city firefighters have come to an agreement on a new contract that won't have much near-term impact on city spending, but should mean cost savings in the future.
The contract will allow the city to eventually eliminate two firefighter positions and will save the city the expense of providing health insurance in retirement to firefighters hired after the contract was implemented.
"We've been getting every union to agree to that moving forward," Molino said.
Firefighters will get a 2.75-percent pay increase for the current year.
The contract also calls for: an increase in qualifications in order to serve as acting lieutenant; new hires' participation in the wellness program provided for other city employees; random drug testing; and changes to paid leave.
The fire department currently has four vacancies. Instead of being required to fill all four vacancies this year, the city will be able to fill one vacancy a year for the next four years.
Currently, there are 36 union positions in the department -- 28 firefighters and eight supervisors. Under terms of the new contract, which runs for five years, the city will be able to eliminate two firefighter positions in 2018.
City firefighters, members of IAFF Local 896, have been volunteering their time to help with the revitalization of a house on Harvester Avenue by Habitat for Humanity.
Joining in the tasks today were Dave Adams, Tim Stengel, Chuck Hammon, Mike Dorgan, Adam Palumbo, Nathan Kinne, Mark Mikolajczyk and Christina Marinaccio.
Top photo, Kinne and Palumbo. Bottom, Marinaccio and Stengel.
Information and photos provided by Greg Ireland.
City firefighters hosted a lunch today for winners of the first fire safety poster contest sponsored by IAFF Local 896.
Above, Ian Keberle, with Chief Jim Maxwell and Local 896 President Greg Ireland.
Emma Bigsby with Maxwell and Ireland.
Children who participated today.
Here are the winners of the contest:
Press release:
The City of Batavia Firefighters, IAFF Local 896, will provide new winter coats to warm the hearts, minds, and bodies, of the students at Agri-Business Child Development (ABCD) School on Brooklyn Avenue in Batavia. This campaign is led by the City of Batavia Firefighters to provide at-risk children that attend school in Batavia with brand-new, American-made coats for the winter.
This is the first year the City of Batavia Fire Department has joined forces with national non-profit Operation Warm to launch the program, “Firefighters Coats for Kids,” a movement led by firefighters across the United States to combat the effects of childhood poverty while saving American jobs.
This distribution event is the culmination of the firefighters' fundraising efforts since August.
The City of Batavia firefighters are raising funds to provide coats to 30 children at ABCD, which utilizes a system of points, in accordance with the Head Start Performance Standards, to ensure that the neediest of the eligible families receive services. The coats, manufactured especially by Operation Warm, have been ordered in just the right size and in a variety of colors so that the children may enjoy a unique coat that fits properly. “Keeping them warm and safe throughout the winter is the least we can do,” firefighter Adam Palumbo stated.
City firefighters will surprise the students with their new coats, personally fitting each child, and help them to write their names in the interior tag, which reads, “Made Just for You.” “This is a program that strengthens communities and the overall well-being of children,” said Carey Palmquist, executive director of Operation Warm. “A new coat boosts a child’s self-esteem and allows families to stretch limited financial resources to other basic necessities, such as food and shelter.”
Operation Warm is dedicated to providing new winter coats to U.S. children in need and has reached more than 1.2 million children since 1998. The International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) represents more than 300,000 professional firefighters who are dedicated to serving their communities beyond the traditional call of duty. In 2012, Operation Warm joined together with the IAFF to form a widespread, high-impact program called Firefighters Coats for Kids.
The collaboration of these two organizations deepens the reach and support of our efforts, as firefighters protecting communities across the USA has become the face of this mission and the catalyst for a multidimensional program that not only provides coats to impoverished children but also helps Americans get back to work and out of poverty.
Through this unprecedented partnership firefighters are distributing coats made and sourced 100 percent in the USA. This collaboration provides relief for families who struggle to meet basic needs and to children who will now experience the joy and pride of owning something brand new – a gift of warmth from their local firefighters.
To learn more and donate, please visit: www.operationwarm.org/batavia
Press release:
Firefighters took to the streets of Downtown Batavia to “Fill the Boot” for the Muscular Dystrophy Association on Friday, June 7, and raised $8,541 to help find treatments and cures for neuromuscular disease.
Members of Local 896 of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) topped their annual fundraising pledge to support MDA’s vital research programs and the Associations 200 medical clinics nationwide.
“We deeply appreciate the work firefighters in the City of Batavia do for MDA,” said MDA Executive Director Sally Cramer. “It does make a difference to all the people and families here who are living with muscle disease. They see the firefighters going out to support them, and it tells them they have strong partners standing by their side.”
Firefighters continually put themselves at risk, whether it's battling a fire or rushing through traffic to help someone who has been injured. They have a sense of compassion for, and service to, the community that is demonstrated through their commitment to MDA.
“We like to help people, that’s who we are,” said Batavia Firefighters Local Union President Greg Ireland. “A huge thank you goes out to everyone who donated to the cause. Whether it was their spare change, a buck or a $10 dollar bill, it’s the generosity of those who helped Fill the Boot that really make a difference.”
IAFF became the first national sponsor for MDA in 1954, and over the years, firefighters have raised millions of dollars to help improve and enhance the lives of those living with neuromuscular disease. Funds from the Fill the Boot campaign also help send 3,500 kids to MDA summer camp for a free week of lighthearted fun with other kids who are just like them. Many firefighters become friends of the kids and their families, giving a week of their vacation time each year to go to camp and support their young friends.
Photo: By Howard Owens. Capt. Craig Williams collecting donations on Ellicott Street (photo taken this morning with the intention of posting this morning, but for some reason it didn't get published to the home page -- apologies to the firefighters).
City firefighters, members of the International Association of Firefighters Local 896, will once again ask motorists at in the Court, Ellicott and Main street areas to "fill the boot" with donations to help fight Muscular Dystrophy.
The donations benefit MDA charities in WNY.
The "Fill the Boot" campaign is June 7.
Last year, the campaign collected $7,500 for MDA, which was a record for the annual campaign.
"We had a very successful boot drive in 2012," said Local 896 President Greg Ireland. "The guys are looking forward to hitting the streets again in an attempt to top last year’s total. We really appreciate the generosity of those that can give, whether it be their spare change, a dollar or even more."
Batavia firefighters, members of IAFF Local 896, set a new record Friday for their annual "Fill the Boot" campaign.
According to Greg Ireland, Local 896 president, area residents drove through downtown today and donated $7,562.
Photos submitted by Frank Capuano.
City firefighters will again volunteer their time this year to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association in the annual "Fill the Boot" fundraiser.
Last year, area residents donated more than $7,100 and firefighters this year hope to top $8,000 in donations, which is more than double the state average for fire departments that participate in the campaign.
The fundraiser begins at 9 a.m. and runs until about 1:30 p.m.
Off-duty firefighters will be positioned on Ellicott Street and Main Street in the area of Court Street holding boots to collect donations from passersby.
The campaign is organized by IAFF Local 896 and co-chaired by Local President Greg Ireland and firefighter Jeff Stevens.
Photo: Stevens, left, with firefighters Dan Herberger and Dave Adams.
City of Batavia firefighters will hold their annual "Fill the Boot" Drive to benefit MDA on Friday, June 3, beginning at 9 a.m.
This year’s co-chairmen are firefighters Jeff Stevens and Greg Ireland.
Off-duty city firefighters -- members of IAFF (International Association of Firefighters) Local 896 -- will help raise money for the cause. They will be at Court and Main streets as well as Court and Ellicott streets.
The IAFF is MDA’s largest sponsor.
City of Batavia Fire Department Local 896 has been holding the "Fill the Boot" drive for 17 years. Last year's boot drive was quite successful. City firefighters with the community's help raised $5,600 for the MDA!
There are more than 40 neuromuscular diseases that are covered by MDA, including ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
Donations cover everything from wheelchairs to braces, physical therapy sessions to kids' summer camps.
The guys are looking forward to hitting the streets again in an attempt to top last year’s total. They really appreciate the generousity of those that can give, be it their spare change, a dollar or even more.
With Monday's hot weather, city of Batavia Firefighters took to the water yesterday, according to a press release from the firefighters' union.
Firefighters conducted training at DeWitt Recreation Area on Cedar Street, where they deployed a 16-foot aluminum boat with a 6 hp engine and also rolled out Engine 12, which comes equipped with Coast Guard-approved life vests, rescue ring and several hundred feet of rope.
There are 58 acres of water (ponds and lakes) within the city's first-response area, and 2.75 miles of Tonawanda Creek, plus numerous pools.
"The rapid deployment craft is the most versatile piece of water rescue equipment in service with the City of Batavia," wrote Robert Fix II. "It is quickly inflated and can be used in many situations including open water (DeWitt Recreation Area), swift water (Tonawanda Creek) and ice rescues. It is particularly well suited for rescues at low head dams like the one located behind the county courthouse."
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